Estonian Olympian to receive Defense Forces medal

Aug 26, 2008
In cooperation with BNS

TALLINN- Commander of the Estonian Defense Forces Lt. Gen. Ants Laaneots is set to give a defense forces special services cross to Tonis Endrekson, the silver medal Olympic rower.

"Rowing is a very difficult and demanding event. One needs not only physical but also mental endurance, to be able to suffer the pain of exertion at the decisive moment, said 2nd Lt. Imre Tiidemann, commander of the Defense Forces sports group.

PFC Endrekson, member of the Defense Forces sports group, will get the special service cross for his successful performance at the Beijing Olympic Games where he won a silver medal in rowing double sculls together with Juri Jaanson. Endrekson will be decorated with the cross next week, the Defense Forces headquarters said.

Endrekson passed the compulsory military service at the Parnu Independent Infantry Battalion and has been a member of the Defense Forces sports group since last year.

The sports group was established at the Independent Signals Battalion in February 2006 currently has 18 top-level athletes.

There were seven member of the Defense Forces sports group taking part in the Beijing Olympic Games.